Paclitaxel, carboplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and radiation for locally advanced esophageal cancer: phase II results of preliminary pharmacologic and molecular efforts to mitigate toxicity and predict outcomes: North Central Cancer Treatment Group (N0044).

Purpose: Locally advanced esophageal cancer is challenging to treat. This study tested a 3-drug, multimodality approach. Chemotherapy dose reductions, the addition of amifostine, and pharmacogenetics were tested in an effort to mitigate toxicity and predict outcomes.

Phase II NCCTG trial of oral topotecan and paclitaxel with G-CSF (filgrastim) support in patients with previously untreated extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and toxicity of oral topotecan and paclitaxel in untreated patients with extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Patients And Methods: Thirty-eight patients received 1.75 mg/m2 of oral topotecan days 1 to 5 and 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel IV over 3 hours on day 5 (after topotecan) every 4 weeks for 6 cycles.

Results of a planned interim toxicity analysis with trimodality therapy, including carboplatin AUC = 4, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, amifostine, and radiation for locally advanced esophageal cancer: preliminary analyses and treatment recommendations from the North Central Cancer Treatment Group.

PURPOSE: An aggressive trimodality approach from the Minnie Pearl Cancer Research Network [carboplatin AUC = 6, days 1 and 22; 5-fluorouracil 225 mg/m2 continuous infusion, days 1-42, paclitaxel 200 mg/m2, days 1 and 22; 45 Gy] has resulted in remarkable pathologic response rates but notable toxicity. This trial was designed to mitigate this toxicity by starting with a lower carboplatin dose, AUC = 4, and by adding subcutaneous amifostine. METHODS: This phase II trial included patients with locally advanced, potentially resectable esophageal cancer.